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Well, this is the review for the items that come with special edition, and not for the game itself.

Here's a quick list of the items.

BioShock 2, the game
Vinyl 180g LP featuring the orchestral score from the original BioShock
CD containing the BioShock 2 orchestral score
A 164 page 8"x11" hardbound artbook chock full of developer commentary
Three posters featuring vintage ads from Rapture (rolled)

Review: BioShock 2 Special Edition

All the items are packed in a beautiful sturdy black box. The box art is printed on what I believe to be top grade matte paper which has a really good feel on touch.

The Vinyl record contains the score for BioShock 1 with a total of 24 songs on both sides. It's housed inside a glossy slipcase which has some words from the score composer Garry Schyman. Unfortunately for me, I don't have a record player which means I can't play it, and sadly it doesn't come with an audio CD version — how can that even happen?

The audio CD is the soundtrack for BioShock 2. I love violins and there are lots of that on the score. Music style ranges from the incredibly scary to deeply beautiful and sad. Well worth listening over again to relive the moment.

The hardcover art book "Deco Devolution" is filled to the brim with concept art on the characters, environments and weapons. There are even the ads you see plastered on the walls in the game. The art is great and every piece is accompanied by staff commentary giving tremendous insight into the art direction. I'm an art book collector and this is certainly one of the best art books out there, one that can't be bought separately.

The 3 deco art style posters are nice. They are rolled but flattens out easily.

The BioShock 2 Special Edition is stunning and basically screams "quality" all over. It's well worth the money. Highly recommended.

There's also another edition called the Rapture with an art book of only 90 pages.

BioShock 2 Special Edition (PS3) - 01